Kenaston Family Band CD's

available now!

Treasures From The Past

CD -- $15.00/each
Tape -- $12.00/each

Send your check or money order to the address at the left. You can also email your request and then mail your check.

Biography

The Kenaston Family originates from ranch country in North Central Nebraska just one mile from the South Dakota border. Bob and Arvilla Kenaston began playing gospel music, country dance music and bluegrass back in the fifties and continue to do so today. Their children, Roger & Vanessa, began their careers as entertainers very early in life and have worked together with their parents for many years at shows, festival and dances. Individually they are all members of America’s Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame and have been active in promoting Traditional Country Music and Bluegrass events for many years.

Bob is a well respected old time fiddler, singer, guitar and banjo player. He’s been playing dance music for over 50 years and has been actively involved in music festivals since they first started in the mid-west. Listening to his dance band, “The Country Tones”, is like taking a step back 50 years to the purest sounds of traditional country music. Today he continues to play the old time dance music and bluegrass festivals across Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa with his children.

When Arvilla plays the dobro and lap steel guitar the great tunes of the 50's come alive.  This adds a truly old time sound to the group. Her style of playing has become sought after by today's great steel guitar players because it's a sound that isn't often recreated today.    He performances are always well received as her fans remember the tunes of Carl Smith, Roy Acuff and many more of the great 50's entertainers.

Roger is a versatile instrumentalist and singer. He plays flat-top, dobro, fiddle and mandolin as well as singing lead and harmony vocals. His guitar playing styles range from fiddle tunes to bluegrass to traditional country and finger picking tunes. He’s also well known in the Midwest for being a dynamic electric guitar picker and has played traditional country dance music for over 30 years. He has received numerous awards on every instrument, group performances and singing.

Vanessa is also a versatile entertainer. She plays rhythm and bass but it’s her strong vocal ability that sets her apart. She has a powerful voice that’s full of emotion and charm. She’s won several competitions including the National Traditional Country Music Association’s International Singing Competition, the Nebraska State Female Championship, and the National Country Music Festival Female Singers Division. She’s also an award winning mandolin and flat-top picker.

Roger’s wife, Sharon, brings a third strong voice to the group and acts as the MC for the group. She plays bass and rhythm and sings lead and harmony vocals. She has also won all of the above mentioned contest titles respectively, as well as many group and harmony singing competitions with Vanessa. The two girls have a unique blend and bring a real enjoyable presentation to each song they perform.

Roger's daughter, Bobbi Jo Lytle, is also a multi-talented musician.  When she has an opportunity to perform, she adds a solid rhythm or bass instrument to the group as well as high lonesome harmony vocals.  She is also a great drummer and her beautiful smile fills the stage with her love and enthusiasm for the music she grew up with.

The Kenaston Family Band has recently recorded a bluegrass album with Danny McElroy on banjo and Kevin Blum on fiddle. A new album is expected to be available Spring 2006 featuring more old time fiddling and traditional country tunes. Vanessa has three other albums available.

They have had the privilege to work with such celebrities as Claude Gray, Albert E. Brumley Jr., Terry Smith, Norma Jean, Jean Shepard, Leona Williams, Margo Smith, Jack Greene, Ernie Ashworth, and Candi Carpenter. They have worked many festivals across the Midwest and have performed at Silver Dollar City. An impromptu opportunity for Sharon to work with Willie Nelson and Roger to pick with Bill Monroe are other career highlights.

The Kenaston Family Band prides itself in strong family values and tradition. They play traditional country and bluegrass and their heart and soul is in every tune they play. Their smiles are contagious and their enthusiasm and love for the music comes through on every tune.

For Bookings or More Information
Kenaston Family Band
1480 County Road V
Lyons, NE 68038
402-687-9594
www.WahooCountryMusicShow.com